Gifted Identification

According to state law, the Bellefontaine City School district utilizes a three-step approach to screen and identify students who perform or show potential for performing at high levels of accomplishment in the areas of superior cognitive ability, specific academic ability, creativity and visual/performing arts.

The first step of this screening and identification process is to administer a whole grade level assessment, the CoGat, in grades 2 and 5. This assessment measures the level and pattern of cognitive development of your student, focusing on general reasoning abilities. These results are then screened to create a pool of students that are eligible to move onto the second stage of assessment. Students' scores are compared to their peers nationwide.

The second step of the screening and identification process is to administer the complete battery of IOWA Test of basic skills to any student scoring in the 75th percentile or higher on the CoGat, in grades 2 and 5. The IOWA test measures skills and achievements of important educational objectives in the areas of reading, language arts, mathematics, science and social studies. Students' scores are compared to their peers nationwide.

Students who score in the 95th percentile or higher, on either test in steps one or two, move into the third stage with an identification of Superior Cognitive and/or Specific Academic Ability gifted according to the state standards.